Coast Guard repatriates 25 Cuban migrants

Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received notification of a vessel with 20 Cuban migrants south of Key West Aug. 2. The Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket was diverted, and the crew safely embarked the 20 migrants. The migrants were transferred to the Key Biscayne and repatriated Thursday.

On Sunday, Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., watchstanders received notification of a rustic vessel with five people aboard 70 miles southwest of Marquesas, Fla. The watchstanders diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell, whose crew handed out lifejackets and safely embarked the migrants. The migrants were later transferred to the cutter Key Biscayne and repatriated Thursday.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants are provided with food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.

The cutter Campbell is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Maine.

The cutter Nantucket is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The cutter Key Biscayne is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Key West.

The cutter Key Biscayne and other Island-class patrol boats are being replaced by 58 new, Sentinel-class fast response cutters. The FRC will be capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots and operating in seas up to 18-feet. The FRC delivers tremendous lifesaving, law enforcement and homeland security capabilities in the same package.